Page:A series of intercepted letters in Mexico.djvu/31

 In this manner our forces arrived at Churubusco, from which place their pursuers had to receive the fire of our musketry, and of one or more cannons, which gave our retreating troops time to take breath, and lengthen the distance which separated them from the enemy, by checking the advance of the latter. It would be difficult to make you understand the disorder which characterized this whole retreat. Only a few of the cannon taken from San Antonio were used at the bridge, as the greater part arrived too late, and while some of the retreating troops were going towards Mexico, they were met by others from the city, going out to their assistance. Wagons of ammunition were going in opposite directions, some of which broke down, obstructing the road—people on foot and those on horseback were coming in collision, and many generals were giving contradictory orders, &c., &c.

Whilst this was going on, the fight commenced at Churubusco, under the immediate orders of Santa Anna, but as at this place there was no artillery, and no other troops but those of the national guards, Bravo's and Independence, the enemy easily cut them to pieces, before fresh troops arrived, not even giving us sufficient time to use the artillery brought from San Antonio. Moreover, the fresh troops did not find ammunition in readiness, on account of which the 11th regiment of the line retired to Mexicalcinco, without having engaged in the fight. Finally, my friend, the bridge of Churubusco was lost almost without resistance, and at a great sacrifice. The bridge was lost beforcebefore [sic] the advance of the retreating troops arrived at the garita of Mexico. The passage at the garita was very narrow, owing to the parapets, and made more difficult by a wagon which had broken down in the road. The bridge once lost, a party of American cavalry, small in number, drove before them a thousand of our horsemen—then drove before them the retreating infantry, and the confusion became general. Under these circumstances, the small garrison at the garita, fired rather upon our own men, than upon the enemy. This will give you an idea of the disorder which reigned throughout this retreat. However, the enemy's cavalry still advanced up to the very ditches, and one officer, horse and all, jumped into our parapet—another was captured and made prisoner, while we saw two or three of their cavalry fall.

Whilst our troops were running into the city, dispersing in all directions, filled with terror, and crying that the enemy was coming in immediately after them. The enemy halted without the city, and everything is to-day tranquil on both sides, probably owing to an armistice obtained by the English Minister, or rather a capitulation, abandoning the city to the